Dominica to Represent in Swimming, Cycling and Athletics at the 2022 Commonwealth Games

Dominica Olympic Committee 6th July, 2022

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The Dominica Commonwealth Games Association (CGA) is pleased to once again announce its representation on the international sporting stage, with an 18- member delegation comprising of eleven (11) athletes and seven (7) officials and support staff, competing in Swimming, Cycling and Athletics at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. The Games which will be held in Birmingham, England will commence on July 28th 2022, with the Dominica team led at the Opening Ceremony by national triple jump and long jump record holder, Commonwealth Games bronze medalist and two-time Olympian, Thea Lafond.

The team, detailed below, is headed by Chef de Mission, Mr. Woodrow “Woody” Lawrence OLY, who has a wealth of knowledge and experience in this role, both from a managerial and athlete perspective.

Swimming

Coach: Gino Deflorian

Athlete: Warren Lawrence (Male 50m Freestyle, 100m Freestyle, 50m Backstroke, 100m Backstroke, Butterfly)

Track and Field

Coaches: Aaron Gadson, Godwin Dorsette

Athletes: Thea Lafond (Female Triple Jump), Mariah Toussaint (Female Long Jump), Kianne Benjamin (Female 100m), Judah Coriette (Male 800m), Dennick Luke (Male 800m), Derick St. Jean (Male 400m), Dillon Simon (Male Shot Put), Tristan James (Male Long Jump)

Road Cycling

Coach: Levi Baron

Athletes: Kohath Baron, Kevon Boyd

The Dominica CGA will also be supported by Physiotherapist Kaitlyn Larocque, Press Attaché Garvin Richards and Attaché Chae Horsford, whilst accompanied by the President Mr. Billy Doctrove and Secretary General, Ms. Fenella K. Wenham who, in addition to other duties will be attending the Commonwealth Games Federation General Assembly. Mr. Brendan Williams, Dominica CGA Athletes Representative will also be present at the Games primarily in his capacity as Chair of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) Athlete Advisory Commission and will also be attending the inaugural Commonwealth Esports Championships and Commonwealth Esports Forum which will be held subsequent to the Games.

Dominica enter the Games looking to build on the organizations previous medal tally of two (2) medals achieved at the Commonwealth Games held in 2018, whilst making history as Dominica competes in Swimming for the first time at the Commonwealth Games and fields its youngest ever road cycling team.

Mr. Billy Doctrove, President of the Dominica Commonwealth Games Association commented “We are happy to be able to once again compete in Swimming on the international stage after so many years and would like to take this opportunity to commend the athletes and coaches on the work they have put into ensuring the team is in the best shape to represent Dominica. Unfortunately we have had some injuries, scheduling conflicts and academic commitments which has resulted in the team being slightly smaller than projected but we are confident that the final team selected will represent Dominica proudly. Over fifty percent of the athletes chosen are current national record holders in their respective disciplines which speaks well to the quality of athletes chosen.”

Mr. Doctrove, also commented “Over the past six months we have invested approximately XCD $80,000.00 dollars into ensuring the prospective and final athletes have been able to receive access to coaching, physiotherapy services, travel to competitions and purchase of equipment and supplements among other things. We are confident this sizable investment made possible, thanks to grant funding from the Commonwealth Games Federation will directly correlate to positive results for the team.

Chef de Mission, Woody Lawrence commented “We are calling on all Dominicans in Birmingham and the UK by extension to come out and support Team Dominica. Your support is key to our athletes performance and we are looking forward to another excellent Games as the organizers have placed considerable time, planning and finances into ensuring the best for the delegations.”

The 2022 Commonwealth Games, officially known as the XXII Commonwealth Games and commonly known as Birmingham 2022, is an international multi-sport event for members of the Commonwealth that is scheduled to be held in Birmingham, England from 28 July to 8 August, 2022.

Detailed information such as the competition schedule for Dominica’s athletes, biographies on each team member and other additional information will be posted on our Facebook page Dominica Commonwealth Games Association and our website www.doc.dm in the upcoming days.